The tag line for alien uses a basic and formal font that appears to not be stylized in any way.This suggests simplicity in the font which is some what more haunting as it reveals how they haven't tried to make there tag line scarier which shows the effectiveness of the tag lines content.On top of all this this font suggests a serious theme as formal text is usually associated with serious matters.
The tag line its self is very memorable due to its shortness and how carefully they used there words to create an effective tag line. "In space no one can hear you scream" reveals helplessness which is something that everyone fears and can relate to having the fear of.The tag line tells us both the setting for the film and genre of the film, we can tell it'll be a horror due to the phrase "no one can hear you scream" and we can also tell the setting for the film is in space do to "in space" part of the tag line.
The tag line its self is very memorable due to its shortness and how carefully they used there words to create an effective tag line. "In space no one can hear you scream" reveals helplessness which is something that everyone fears and can relate to having the fear of.The tag line tells us both the setting for the film and genre of the film, we can tell it'll be a horror due to the phrase "no one can hear you scream" and we can also tell the setting for the film is in space do to "in space" part of the tag line.
The institutions for the film "Seven" are stylized to fit in with the typography and atmosphere of the rest of the opening credit, so that it doesn't draw away from the tension that is building in the first few scene's.Each institution is only on for around a second sometimes less and jumps around the screen during the duration it is on the screen, The way it jumps around looks as if it is glitching or jumping in the film as if it was an old film real or video tape.This could relate to the over active mind that causes insanity which is the impression given by the opening scenes of Seven. Adding to the insane impression that is given is the typography its self as it appears to be chalk drawn which would seem innocent in a childs film but in a physiological horror it gives the feeling of false innocents or twisted innocents which only adds to the twisted nature of the horror.
Also adding to the typography effectiveness would be the white text on the black background, the contrast between the text and background helps it stand out as well as giving an isolated feel which I imagine is how people with mental problems feel. This contrast could be interpreted as religious due to the film having a some what religious theme about the seven deadly sins, as the text could be the light in the darkness.
In the opening scene we are treated to a close up shot of a book, presumably a bible given the films theme and title, being slowly opened page by page, its slow dauntingness conveys already an eery and atmospheric feel.about it setting the tone for the rest of the film. Accompanying the these scenes is a disturbing soundtrack that sounds almost broken as it jumps and screeches and isnt friendly on the ear's, this puts the audiences on edge and builds suspense as its unpredictable series of sounds may relate to the pacing of the film and its tone.
Between each scene of images that lasts only a couple of seconds is a black screen with twisted writing that I analysed earlier, these credit screens break the scene's up which matches well with the broken soundtrack as the scenes much like the soundtrack seem unpredictable each as disturbing as the last as after each credit screen there is a new shot entirely which does not link to the previous, making it seem as if the scene's are jumping like an old film reel would when it was burnt out or damaged. Again this gives an unsettling vibe to the film.
The second scene following after the credits is of a twisted nature as it is of a drawing of twisted crooked hands followerd buy what appears to be cogs and razor's, they scenes are fast lasting only seconds before cutting to the next, this helps keep the audience on there toes as they arnt aware of what to expect and only have a small amount of time to grasp what is going on before them.
A scene that I feel leaves one of the biggest impacts from these first few minutes would be 14 seconds in, where it shows somebody presumably the killer or antogonist of the film slicing off his fingertips with a weathered razor, not only does this seem crude but also desperate and irrastional perhaps giving a glimpse into the killers physcy and mental state as not sane or ordinary person would feel the need to mutilate them selves in such a crude manor if they had to at all. This scene also begs the question as too why this person is removing there fingertips as the impression is given that it is for illegal purposes due to the nature of how he is removing them and the surrounding environment, ill lighting etc and if so what illegal activity would they feel the need to hide there finger prints from as they clearly would like to remain anonymous giving birth to another question as to why they would like to be anonymous.
we are treated to some scenes of this individual what appears to be handing writing a copy of the bible again relating back to the title of the film and further solidifying the theme of the film involving religion in some way.
Another scene shows this same person now with bandages on there fingers cutting into an old reel of film relating back to a previous point I made of how the film is styled.
the scenes that follow seem to be some what of a montage of this person highlighting certain phrases and sentences from the bible as well as highlighting a line through the eyes of picture of people almost as if he were crossing them off a list of sorts helping build this killer feel about the person featured in the opening credits.These picture and writing look as if they are being made into a scrap book of sorts making this person seem more twisted that his seeing his dark deeds as a art form.
The only spoken words in the entire opening sequence is at the end of the soundtrack which says "you get me closer to god" this only confirms that the film will be revolved around or that religion will play a massive part in the plot of this film.
It is worth noting that throughout the entirety of the opening there is no diagetic sound at all and the only sound is non diagetic and is from the soundtrack, making this persons actions all the more mysterious and eery.
Also adding to the typography effectiveness would be the white text on the black background, the contrast between the text and background helps it stand out as well as giving an isolated feel which I imagine is how people with mental problems feel. This contrast could be interpreted as religious due to the film having a some what religious theme about the seven deadly sins, as the text could be the light in the darkness.
In the opening scene we are treated to a close up shot of a book, presumably a bible given the films theme and title, being slowly opened page by page, its slow dauntingness conveys already an eery and atmospheric feel.about it setting the tone for the rest of the film. Accompanying the these scenes is a disturbing soundtrack that sounds almost broken as it jumps and screeches and isnt friendly on the ear's, this puts the audiences on edge and builds suspense as its unpredictable series of sounds may relate to the pacing of the film and its tone.
Between each scene of images that lasts only a couple of seconds is a black screen with twisted writing that I analysed earlier, these credit screens break the scene's up which matches well with the broken soundtrack as the scenes much like the soundtrack seem unpredictable each as disturbing as the last as after each credit screen there is a new shot entirely which does not link to the previous, making it seem as if the scene's are jumping like an old film reel would when it was burnt out or damaged. Again this gives an unsettling vibe to the film.
The second scene following after the credits is of a twisted nature as it is of a drawing of twisted crooked hands followerd buy what appears to be cogs and razor's, they scenes are fast lasting only seconds before cutting to the next, this helps keep the audience on there toes as they arnt aware of what to expect and only have a small amount of time to grasp what is going on before them.
A scene that I feel leaves one of the biggest impacts from these first few minutes would be 14 seconds in, where it shows somebody presumably the killer or antogonist of the film slicing off his fingertips with a weathered razor, not only does this seem crude but also desperate and irrastional perhaps giving a glimpse into the killers physcy and mental state as not sane or ordinary person would feel the need to mutilate them selves in such a crude manor if they had to at all. This scene also begs the question as too why this person is removing there fingertips as the impression is given that it is for illegal purposes due to the nature of how he is removing them and the surrounding environment, ill lighting etc and if so what illegal activity would they feel the need to hide there finger prints from as they clearly would like to remain anonymous giving birth to another question as to why they would like to be anonymous.
we are treated to some scenes of this individual what appears to be handing writing a copy of the bible again relating back to the title of the film and further solidifying the theme of the film involving religion in some way.
Another scene shows this same person now with bandages on there fingers cutting into an old reel of film relating back to a previous point I made of how the film is styled.
the scenes that follow seem to be some what of a montage of this person highlighting certain phrases and sentences from the bible as well as highlighting a line through the eyes of picture of people almost as if he were crossing them off a list of sorts helping build this killer feel about the person featured in the opening credits.These picture and writing look as if they are being made into a scrap book of sorts making this person seem more twisted that his seeing his dark deeds as a art form.
The only spoken words in the entire opening sequence is at the end of the soundtrack which says "you get me closer to god" this only confirms that the film will be revolved around or that religion will play a massive part in the plot of this film.
It is worth noting that throughout the entirety of the opening there is no diagetic sound at all and the only sound is non diagetic and is from the soundtrack, making this persons actions all the more mysterious and eery.
Storyboard in reverse of Texas chainsaw massacre's opening 2 minutes
The first frame is a rolling title card accompanied by a voice over reading the title card in a anouncer voice, this title card explains how Texas Chainsaw massacre is based off true events and creates a sympathetic tone for the survivors and victims to what happened. The duration of this card is only 48 seconds giving ample time for audiences to read it.
This following title card reveals the date that the film is set in and only lasts a couple seconds.There is no audio here.The font used is a typical ariel font however the colour of the font represents somewhat where the film is set as it gives off a western and desert feel to it so is very appropriate given the films setting to be in Texas.
There is no visual stimulation and is just black however we hear some disturbing noises subtly getting louder, these noises are hard to identify although one sound that can be identified is what appears to be some one setting up an old camera.
There is a flash lasting only a couple of seconds, this flash seems to be using a fish eye effect and reveals very little other than a close up of what appears to be charred flesh.This scene paves the way for many more equally disturbing scenes, being as this is the first footage that audiences are greeted by it is very effective as it opens the film onto a shock factor and gives audiences an insight of what is to come throughout the film.
Once the flash is over we are greeted by another black screen although the disturbing noises continue to play throughout the entire two minutes.
The next camera flash reveals an image of a charred hand that looks as if it is decomposing, this shot is an extreme close up which uses depth of field to draw attention to the decomposing fingers, everything else is heavy shadowed only leaving the hand viable.Much like many of these scenes there appears to be orange haze filter over the footage further hinting at the setting being western.
The camera flash fades leaving us with darkness indicating there is no light source other than the camera's flash in this environment.
The last flash in the opening two minutes is of both decomposed hands crossing over one and other almost mummy like.Like all the other flashes this shot appears as an extreme close up with shadows masking all but the hands.
After this flash we are again met with a black screen, this use of darkness creates a feeling of isolation which is effective as it elaborates on the feeling of vulnerability and helplessness.
I analysed this film as its use of shock factor within the opening few scenes with uncomfortable images could help with our own horror as we intend to have a nightmare sequence where we want a similar shock factor present to intimidate our audience and removing them from there comfort zone. I felt this scene achieved what we desired very well and used this as some inspiration for that sequence.